The Saddle Creek Series 5-Book Bundle. Shelley Peterson

of bounds. She twirled around and danced and laughed. “Abby, this is great! What’s the big deal about a ghost? This secret theatre is worth a hundred ghosts! To see this is worth having to wash the truck!”

      Abby couldn’t help but be pleased at Lucy’s reaction. She laughed out loud, joined by Leslie, who threw her arms around Abby and twirled her. Dancing around the stage, Abby celebrated the fact that her friends found the theatre as enchanting as she did.

      Cody was investigating the intriguing smells he’d ignored when he’d been in the upper Wick field two days before. These were dangerous smells, and very exciting. Cody’s ruff was up, and he sniffed and circled and ran, getting nearer to the place where they gathered. They were wild. They were like him, but different. This confused Cody. It drew him, and repelled him.

      Even in his excitement, he felt the eyes upon him. Suddenly, silently. He didn’t look. Two, three, four. More. Many of his kind were here. They were drawing nearer. He must leave. Now. Not toward home. Leave no tracks that lead to home.

      Cody headed north as fast as he could. He was gone before the wild coyotes devised their strategy, before they knew that he knew they were there. He ran out of their territory. Still running, Cody felt Abby’s presence. Stronger and stronger as he neared the old barn where they’d waited in the storm. Nose in the air, concentrating on finding his Abby, Cody didn’t watch where he was stepping.

      By twelve thirty, Christine and Hilary James had delivered Joy’s offer to Gus LeFarge, and then dropped in to assess Gladys Forsyth’s place. They had a few more stops to make before driving back to Hogscroft.

      “Do you think Gladys expected more for her house?” asked Hilary.

      “Hard to say. I don’t know what she was offered, or by whom, but she didn’t look surprised at my assessment.”

      “She didn’t look disappointed or pleased, either,” replied Hilary. “She just stared at you. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, behind those taped-up, smudged glasses. It’s a wonder she can see through them.”

      Christine smiled. “It takes all types, honey.”

      “It certainly does.” Hilary was thinking. “Some types are better than others. I’d take Gladys over Samuel Owens any day.”

      “Amen,” said Christine. “I haven’t heard anything more about his release. Have you?”

      “Other than seeing the lights on at his mansion last Saturday, nothing. I feel it in my bones, though. It’s creepy. He’s creepy.”

      “Mousie, you’re feeling this way because we just drove past his house. He’s been in treatment, don’t forget. Hopefully, he’s seen the error of his ways. They wouldn’t have let him out unless he was better.”

      Hilary stared out the window and shivered. “I wouldn’t put any money on that.”

      The thought of Owens back in the community upset Christine as much as it did Hilary. They sat in silence, each remembering the damage he had inflicted on their family.

      They passed the Wick farm, just around the next bend. There was a muddy truck, empty, sitting in the lane beside the barn.

      “Whose truck is that, Mom?”

      “Looks like George Farrow’s.”

      “What’s he doing there?”

      “I don’t know. Maybe he’s checking the place for Robert Wick. Or maybe he’s our mystery competition.”

      “Maybe, but why? Actually, now that I think about it, why does Gran want it?”

      Christine laughed. “Mousie, your Gran has always been full of surprises.”

      “It’s great, the way she looks at things as challenges. Will she start the theatre up again?”

      “Ask Gran.”

      “Does she have enough money? If she starts it up and it fails?”

      “That depends on how much she can buy it for, and how much she puts into it. The land alone is an investment, no matter what happens to the theatre, so she wouldn’t lose everything if the theatre doesn’t succeed.”

      “I guess I’m really asking if it’s wise for her to buy it.”

      “She’s put in a reasonable offer. One she can afford. She’s not a rich woman, Mousie, but she’s been careful with her investments, and now she wants to play a little. Don’t worry. She won’t do anything that would jeopardize her finances. She’s smart.”

      “I know.” Hilary took a deep breath before she spoke. “Mom? I have something to tell you. Actually it’s why I came along.”

      “Yes?” Christine continued to drive, waiting. She shot a glance at her daughter. “What is it, Mousie? Is anything wrong?”

      “Not at all, Mom. In fact, it’s great.” A crooked smile tugged at her mouth.

      “Then what is it? Don’t keep me guessing.”

      “Sandy and I want to get married by the end of the summer.”

      Christine’s eyes widened. She gripped the steering wheel tightly. “You’re serious?”

      Hilary nodded, now smiling widely. “Very. Sandy wanted me to tell you today, and tonight he’ll call Rory and Helena from Montreal. Do you think you can keep it secret until tonight?”

      Christine pulled the car over to the side of the road and put it in park.

      “Is this what you want?”

      “Yes, Mom. Sandy and I have been in love for five years.”

      “But you’re very young, Mousie. You’re only twenty-two. There’s so much more to learn about life.”

      “But I want to learn it with Sandy.”

      “Mousie, you’ve never really dated other men. How can you be sure?”

      “I never wanted to date anyone but Sandy.” Hilary spoke with conviction. “He means everything to me. We want to get married, and we want to go to Belize as husband and wife. I hope you can understand, Mom.”

      Christine gave Hilary an enormous hug, which her daughter heartily returned. “Of course I understand, Mousie. I just want you to be happy.”

      6

      CODY AND THE WILD COYOTES

      LUCY DROPPED ABBY OFF at the end of her driveway after school. Abby’s head was buzzing with the day’s adventure and the prospect of riding Dancer again. She ran up the lane to her house, hurrying to get into her riding clothes before bicycling over to Hogscroft.

      “Hi, Mom!” she hollered as she raced up the stairs two at a time.

      “Hi, Abby! Did you have a good day?” Fiona asked.

      “Great! Lucy drove Leslie and me over to the Wick farm at lunch. They couldn’t believe how fabulous the theatre is! We want to put on a play and charge money and start a theatre company!”

      “Does Mr. Wick know?”

      “Know what?”

      “That you were there.”

      “No.”

      “Hold on, Abby!” Fiona walked up the stairs to talk to her daughter. “You were trespassing. The place is empty and for sale, but it doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to Mr. Wick. You need permission to be on someone else’s property, and you should never go into other people’s buildings. Would you like it if someone was snooping around here when you weren’t home?”

      Abby’s face fell. “I didn’t think of that.” She zipped up her riding pants and grabbed her gloves. She faced her